People: Eric Barton, Senior Counsel

Eric Barton

Biography

Mr. Barton is a trial lawyer who prides himself on being an efficient, practical advisor, understanding the importance of targeted litigation efforts and a common sense approach to resolving disagreements. Because prevailing at an arbitration or trial is typically not the ultimate goal in a business dispute, Mr. Barton devotes a significant portion of his time counseling his clients on issues related to pre-trial resolution and avoidance of commercial disputes. If litigation is necessary, however, Mr. Barton brings with him significant first-chair experience and a long history of jury trial and arbitration victories.

Consistently recognized by his peers as top litigator in Georgia by Super Lawyers (2010-2016), Mr. Barton’s practice primarily focuses on complex business disputes and financial services litigation, including a wide variety of claims involving:

Trade Secrets

Restrictive Covenants

Intellectual Property

Real Estate

Construction

Product Liability

A frequent speaker and blogger on trade secret and non-compete issues, Mr. Barton regularly advises clients on how to best safeguard their trade secrets, confidential information, and valuable customer relationships, particularly in environments where sensitive electronic information is at stake. Mr. Barton also has substantial experience with obtaining and defending against temporary restraining orders and other emergency injunctive relief.

An active member in the Atlanta community, Mr. Barton sits on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and is a long time pro bono volunteer with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. He formerly clerked for Judge Rowland W. Barnes at Fulton County Superior Court.

Mr. Barton is a trial lawyer who prides himself on being an efficient, practical advisor, understanding the importance of targeted litigation efforts and a common sense approach to resolving disagreements. Because prevailing at an arbitration or trial is typically not the ultimate goal in a business dispute, Mr. Barton devotes a significant portion of his time counseling his clients on issues related to pre-trial resolution and avoidance of commercial disputes. If litigation is necessary, however, Mr. Barton brings with him significant first-chair experience and a long history of jury trial and arbitration victories.

Consistently recognized by his peers as top litigator in Georgia by Super Lawyers (2010-2016), Mr. Barton’s practice primarily focuses on complex business disputes and financial services litigation, including a wide variety of claims involving:

Trade Secrets

Restrictive Covenants

Intellectual Property

Real Estate

Construction

Product Liability

A frequent speaker and blogger on trade secret and non-compete issues, Mr. Barton regularly advises clients on how to best safeguard their trade secrets, confidential information, and valuable customer relationships, particularly in environments where sensitive electronic information is at stake. Mr. Barton also has substantial experience with obtaining and defending against temporary restraining orders and other emergency injunctive relief.

An active member in the Atlanta community, Mr. Barton sits on the boards of several nonprofit organizations and is a long time pro bono volunteer with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. He formerly clerked for Judge Rowland W. Barnes at Fulton County Superior Court.

Education

J.D., Emory University School of Law (2003) Moot Court Order of Advocates; Intellectual Property Special Team (Saul Lefkowitz Competition)

B.A., Emory University (2000)

Admissions

Georgia

Affiliations

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, active volunteer (2009–Present)

LEAD Atlanta, Class of 2011

Association of General Contractors, Young Leaders Program (2010–2011)

United Way of Greater Atlanta, Young Professional Leaders, Advisory Board Member (2011–2013)

PEDS, Board Member (2010–2014)

Everybody Wins, Volunteer

Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer

Lamar Inn of Court

Emory Crew Alumni Association, Board Member (2014–2016)

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, Board Member

Representative Engagements

Successfully obtained a six-figure jury trial award for a national water company against the seller of missing equipment (including an award of attorneys’ fees). This particular jury trial victory was profiled on the front page of the January 9, 2012 edition of The Fulton County Daily Report.

Successfully obtained extremely favorable, seven-figure settlement for the plaintiff midway through a multi-week jury trial in a trade secret/non-compete matter

Successfully obtained a six-figure arbitration award (including an award of attorney’s fees) for a national tire manufacturer in a breach of contract dispute concerning escrow funds.

Successfully obtained summary judgment (and an award of attorneys’ fees) for a national construction company by establishing that plaintiff’s claims were barred by the applicable statute of limitations.

Successfully overturned a trial court’s denial of summary judgment for a national construction company, clarifying South Carolina law as it relates to the recovery of liquidated damages.

Successfully obtained a temporary restraining order against a California resident to prevent the violation of a non-compete agreement in a highly contested restrictive covenant matter pending in Connecticut federal court.

Successfully negotiated and obtained a sizeable settlement for a national automotive parts manufacturer in a trade secret dispute before conducting any formal discovery.

Successfully negotiated and obtained a six-figure settlement on the eve of trial for a national trucking company against a former employee for misappropriation of corporate opportunities.

Successfully appealed the denial of a re-zoning application for a Georgia quarry company, overturning an adverse BZA ruling and permitting future expansion.

Successfully defeated an employer’s motion for a temporary restraining order against its former CEO, who left to join a competitor.

Successfully defeated a security company’s breach of contract claim for alleged non-payment by obtaining a complete “defense verdict” for national supermarket chain.

Successfully obtained an emergency temporary restraining order for a national medical sales company, preventing the continued misappropriation of its trade secrets and confidential information.

Geographies

Our London office operates as Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP, an affiliate of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Seyfarth Shaw (UK) LLP is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registered number 556927.

Legal services provided by our Australian practice are provided by the Australian legal practitioner partners and employees of Seyfarth Shaw Australia, an Australian partnership.

Our Hong Kong office "Seyfarth Shaw," a registered foreign law firm, is a Hong Kong sole proprietorship and is legally distinct and independent from Seyfarth Shaw LLP, an Illinois limited liability partnership, and its other offices.